Johannesburg: The City of Johannesburg has urged communities to work together to prevent weather-related incidents this Spring. Spring is considered the rainy season in the province.
According to South African Government News Agency, as the Spring rains return, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero called on residents to actively participate in keeping their environments safe. "Every effort made by you to sweep and remove debris away from drains, report blockages, leaks and fallen trees or participate in neighborhood cleanups, including helping people in distress, are little actions with a huge impact on keeping our city clean and safe," he emphasized.
Residents are encouraged to clear litter, leaves, and debris from their properties and surrounding areas after rainfall, dispose of waste responsibly, and avoid dumping rubbish into stormwater drains, streams, or open spaces. It is crucial to refrain from disposing of foreign objects into sewage systems, as these can lead to blockages. Reporting blocked drains, sewer spillages, flooded roads, and damaged infrastructure to the relevant City entities
is also vital. Additionally, residents are urged to keep children away from stagnant water, flooded areas, rivers, dams, and open stormwater channels to mitigate drowning risks and waterborne diseases.
In a statement, the City assured that entities and departments are on the ground and "ready to respond" to any incidents this season. Johannesburg Water is responsible for maintaining water and sewer infrastructure, while the Johannesburg Roads Agency monitors and maintains the City's road infrastructure to reduce flooding risks and keep roads safe.
Preparedness measures have been put in place, including regional standby teams equipped with jetvac machines and excavators for rapid road clearing and debris removal. Teams are actively cleaning blocked kerb inlets and undertaking bridge maintenance to ensure maximum water runoff and reduce flooding.
City Power is also on alert, with teams attending to outages as safely and quickly as conditions allow. The City's Disaster Management Centre has finalized its disaster risk reduction and preparedness plans for the 2026 summer campaign. Environment and Infrastructure Services focuses on protecting the City's natural environment, while Pikitup plays a critical role in waste collection and prevention of litter-related blockages.